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Illinois Public Media

Chicago Actor, Filmmaker Harold Ramis Dead At 69

An attorney for Harold Ramis says the actor has died. Fred Toczek tells The Associated Press that Ramis died early Monday morning from complications of autoimmune inflammatory disease. He was 69.

Ramis is best known for his roles in the comedies "Ghostbusters'' and "Stripes", but he also directed such films as "Caddyshack" and "Groundhog Day."

According to Biography.com, Ramis co-wrote ``Ghostbusters,'' in which he appeared with fellow Second City alums Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray. More recently, he directed "Analyze This,'' a comedy starring Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro.

The website says he also co-wrote `"National Lampoon's Animal House'' and "Meatballs''. He was also previously the head writer on Second City's TV series "SCTV", and more recently directed episodes of "The Office."

Aykroyd and Ramis knew each other for years. They both were alums of Second City. And they both starred in Ghostbusters with fellow Second City alum Bill Murray.

In a brief statement, Aykroyd calls Ramis his `brilliant, gifted, funny, friend, co-writer/performer and teacher.'' He ends the statement with his hope that Ramis might "now get the answers he was always seeking.''